Pair indicted in alleged mortgage scam

South Florida's housing bust appears to be over, but mortgage fraud investigators are still busy.

A real estate agent and her sister were indicted by a federal grand jury on Tuesday, accused of submitting fraudulent mortgage applications to buy condominiums at a Fort Lauderdale development.

In another case, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi's office said it obtained a temporary injunction and asset freeze against a Broward County company that allegedly defrauded struggling homeowners.

The Fort Lauderdale-Miami area had the nation's third-highest number of reports of mortgage loan fraud during the 2011 fiscal year, according to a report released this summer by LexisNexis. Los Angeles was first and New York second.

Marina Superlano and Marisa Perez are were arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. They face penalties that include up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.

The defendants participated in a 2007 scheme that recruited buyers at Marina Oaks Condominiums with promises of lucrative incentives, a rental income program and as much as $60,000 back after closing, according to the indictment.

"When buyers did purchase multiple units their loan applications were expedited and intentionally directed to different lenders to avoid detection," according to the indictment. "The multiple purchases were intentionally and fraudulently not listed or cross-referenced on any of the individual loan applications submitted to the various lenders."

Bear Stearns Residential Mortgage Corp. and Homecomings Financial loaned more than $359,000 based on the fraudulent applications, the indictment said. Attorneys involved in the case could not be reached.

"This mortgage relief scam targeted hundreds of distressed homeowners who were already facing financial hardship," Bondi said in a statement. "By obtaining a temporary injunction and asset freeze, we have stopped this company from preying on even more of Florida's homeowners."

Florida Home Rescue executives could not be reached for comment.

The temporary injunction bars the company from doing business as alleged in the complaint. Bondi is seeking restitution for all consumers allegedly hurt by the company.